Separable light bulb husk



Se t. 12, 1939. E. CLEMENCE SEPARABLE LIGHT BULB HUSK Filed Feb. 24, 1937 w n c A H 0 6 M 1 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE SEPARABLE LIGHT BULB HUSK Elliott I. Clemence, Millburn, N. J.

Application February 24, 1937, .Serial No. 127,396

13 Claims. (Cl. 173358) The present invention relates to an improveelectrically engage the threads on a lamp base. ment in electric lamp sockets or husks, and while Section I, further, is provided with a single primarily intended to be used for minature elecp-iece, yieldable contact and conductor generally tric lights of the decorative type, it is not limited denoted by C, which is located to contact with to such use. the central contact of a light bulb. This contact 5 The main advantage in the present construcand conductor, as in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, is made of tion is in the provision of a husk body made of sheet metal stamped to provide a conductor wall two longitudinal half sections, which may be portion 35, which rests and is affixed upon the interfitting, and each of which sections may be stepped chordal wall section 3!, 33 of the husk assembled totheir respective coacting conductive section I, the said conductor portion 3!] being 10 members while separated, and then assembled provided with a resilient outstanding contact into a unified structure. This type of structure tongue 22, which is formed at substantially right lends itself perfectly to extremely small husk angles to the conductor 30, and which resiliently bodies, and is convenient to assemble, and very contacts with central terminal of a light bulb.

economical in manufacture without, in anyway The conductor 3!.) is provided at its lower end, 15 affecting the utility or safety ordinarily required as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5 with a perforated, in husk sockets of this type. stamped out clamp tongue I3, and by means of The foregoing features of advantage and others a headed, snug fitted metal pin, or brad, I5, the will be apprehended as the herein description proconductor 35 is literally nailed to the face of ceeds, and it will be obvious that modifications the chordal wall .33, said wall being provided, in 20 may be made in the structure herein without demoulding, with a pin bore, into which the brad is parting from the spirit hereof or the scope of driven, as shown in Fig. 1. Before pinning the the appended claims. clamp tongue to the Wall, the bared end I4 of a In the drawing, conductor wire 25, Fig. 5, is forced under the Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of an tongue I3, and the consequent nailing of the 25 assembled two part husk, in elevation, taken on conductor not only afiixes the conductor-contact the line I I, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of in position but also insures a tight contact about the arrows; the wire end M, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the husk; conductor wire enters from the side of base 5, Fig. 3 is a view in elevation thereof with the of the section I by means of a moulded in groove 30 husk of Fig. 1 rotated ninety degrees; 2e fully shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the husk clamp ring The other husk section 2, shown best in Figs. and snap clip, removed from the husk; 1, 7 and 8, is very similar in construction to sec- Fig. 5 is a View in elevation of one assembled tion I, with the following exceptions; the inner husk section; face of the socket section 3 is without moulded-in 35 Fig. 6 is a plan view thereof; threads and there is substituted therefor a me- Fig. '7 is a view in elevation of the other assemtallic conductor-contact, generally denoted by B, bled husk section; in a single piece, but stamped up to conform to Fig. 8 is a plan view thereof; and the inner Wall contour of the section. To this 40 Fig. 9 is a View in elevation of a husk section, end there is a semi-cylindrical portion fitting the 40 disclosing interfitting locking means thereon. lamp socket end 3, which has light bulb engaging As illustrated in Figs. 5 and '7, the husk body threads 6 thereon, said threads being disconcomprises two longitudinal dielectric, moulded tinuous helically, but of same pitch so as to half sections of similar semi-cylindrical outline, engage the threaded end of a light bulb in elecgenerally indicated as I and 2. trical contact. The lower portion I of the con- 45 Both sections, Fig. 1, have relatively upper ductor contact is formed offset, to fit across the lamp socket receiving halves 33, and lower enchordal face 34 of the husk section base 5, by larged base portions 55, each base portion being means of the offset web 35 which joins the closed by half sectionwebs 28 and 29 respecthreaded portion 6 to the conductor portion I,

tively. Fig. 8. r 50 The half section I, Figs. 1, 2 and 6 has a plu- Conductor portion I, is, like conductor 30 of rality of integral lamp socket engaging threads, husk portion I, provided at its lower end with generally denoted by 4, moulded on the inner a perforated, stamped and slitted out wire clamp semi-circular face of its portion 3. These threads tongue 8, under which the bared end of conare discontinuous but are of proper pitch to nonductor wire 26 may be inserted and a headed 55 brad Hi tightly driven in through the perforation in tongue 8, into a pre-moulded hole in the chordal wall of base 5, as disclosed in Fig. 1, thus clamping tongue 8 tightly down over the contact end of wire 26, and simultaneously firmly affixing the conductor-contact piece B firmly in operative position in portion 2. The contact wire 25 enters from the side of the base 5 through groove 23, moulded therein.

Above the web 35, which joins the threads 6 to the conductor portion 1, Fig. 8 is located a preferably triangular shaped aperture A, and through this aperture projects an extending dielectric pin, which is tightly driven into the wall of the husk portion 2. This pin ll extends to about the parting flat face of the husk portion 2,

as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, and is so located, as in Figs. 1 and 2, as to support by its outer end, the outer end of the resilient contact 22 of husk portion I, when both portions are in assembled operative position, and as illustrated in Fig. 1. In practice the spring contact 22 is slightly upraised, and assumes the position of Fig. 1, when a light bulb is screwed into the assembled husk, and thus non conductive pin ll acts as a limiting stop for both contact 22 and the light bulb, and also prevents rotation of the conductor contact B, when screwing in a light bulb. 1

' After the assembly of the two husk sections 1 and 2, as above described, they are then placed flat face to fiat face as'in Figs. 1 and 2 and'tightly fitting metallic ring l6, Figs. 1, 3 and 4 is pressed downwardly over the socket sections 33 to the shoulder of base 5, Fig. 1, and thus the fixed assembly of the husk is completed.

In order to prevent inadvertent displacement of the husk closure ring Hi, the ring is provided with a spring latch l9 therein, suitably affixed thereto at its nonoperative end [1, while its operative end is provided with an inturned ledge or catch 20, Figs. 1 and 3, for the purpose of snapping under the bottom of the base I when ring !6 is finally seated. This latch [9 prevents inadvertent removal of ring IE, but does not interfere with its removal for repair or other purposes.

The ring l6 may also support thereon the usual forked, spring-like tree-branch clips Ill-l8, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

As a means to permit the interfitting of the flat faces of the husk portions to hold them in registry during assembly, there is disclosed, in Fig. 9, a husk section somewhat like 2, on the fiat faces of the base portion of which are located raised beaded portions 21-21, these being traversed by the wire groove 23, and on the opposite side, the flat face is provided with an indent 26. When two coacting husk portions are provided with indents andbeads as described, and are then assembled face to face, the husk portions are then accurately interfitted by the coacting beads and lugs and are prevented from sliding out of normal assembly position until the ring I6 is operatively positioned.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the assembly of the husk portions for very miniature light husks, due to the husk being in .the assembly of the portion 2 creates a contact connection for the threaded outer ferrule contact site side walls: conductor contacts respectively having downwardly extended flat portions engaged against the said walls respectively; the lower mid margin of each flat portion being provided with upwardly extended slits and downwardly pointing tongue therebetween; conducting wires passing through said lower opening, under said tongues and over said margins respcctively; pins passing through the lower part of the respective tongues into said Walls and securing said wires and conductor contacts in place; the upper part of one conductor-contact being provided with an outstanding contact tongue crossing, the axis of the socket at the lower part thereof; the other conductor contact extending upwardly into the socket to engage the side of the lamp thimble.

2. In combination, a pair of similar longitudinal shell half sections havingcoacting faces meeting in an axial plane and together forming a cylindrical lamp-thimble-receiving socket; a

portion of said sections forming a cylindrical exterior face and a base larger in diameter and forming an annular shoulder next to said exterior face; a ring fitting against said shoulder and on said exterior face and extending more than half way up the latter; means holding the ring and one member against relative longitudinal movement; and additional means holding the members against relative longitudinal engaging against the end face of the shell at the base.

4. In combination, a pair of similar longitudinal shell half sections having coacting faces meeting in an axial plane; the upper portion of said sections together forming a cylindrical lamp-thimble-receiving socket the lower portion of said sections forming a' base and having recesses forming a chamber; a pair of conductorcontacts having portions for engaging said thimble and'portions secured against walls of said chamber; conducting wires passing to said contacts; the upper portions of said sections forming a cylindrical exterior face, the base being larger in diameter and forming an annular shoulder below said exterior face; a deep cylindrical ring fitting against said shoulder and on said exterior face; and a fiat spring latch member having a yoke secured around a portion of the ring and provided at its mid part with a downwardly disposed spring latch yieldably' engaging the side of the base and provided with an inturned catch releasably engaged under the base.

5. In combination, a pair of separable longitudinal shell sections having longitudinal coacting faces and forming a shell having a lampreceiving socket; a portion of said shell forming an exterior face and a shoulder next to said exterior face; a ring fitting against said shoulder and on said exterior face and holding the sections together; and a member secured to the ring and provided with a downwardly disposed latch provided with an inturned hook having its end portion yieldably releasably engaged against the lower end face of the shell substantially at right angles to the axis of the shell; said memher being adapted to carry an upwardly disposed portion extending upwardly and then downwardly to form a branch-engaging clip; said latch having the multiple function of releasably preventing the rise of said ring and clip relative to the shell, thereby to releasably prevent the separation of said sections, and to resist the force tending to separate the ring from the shell when the shell is hanging by the clip.

6. A device for supporting a shell comprising a pair of separable longitudinal shell sections having longitudinal coacting faces and forming a lamp-receiving socket, a portion of said shell forming an exterior face and a shoulder next to said exterior face, and a ring fitting against said shoulder and on said exterior face and holding the sections together; said device comprising a member secured to the ring and provided with a downwardly disposed latch provided with an inturned hook having its end portion yieldably releasably engaged against the lower end face of the shell substantially at right angles to the axis of the shell; said member carrying an upwardly disposed portion extending upwardly and then downwardly to form a branch-engaging clip; said latch having the multiple function of releasably preventing the rise of said ring and clip relative to the shell, thereby to releasably prevent the separation of said sections, and to resist the force tending to separate the ring from the shell when the shell is hanging by the clasp.

'7. In combination, a pair of similar longitudinal shell half-sections having coacting faces meeting in an axial plane and forming a shell having a lamp-thimble-receiving socket; a portion of said sections forming a cylindrical exterior face and a base larger in diameter than the base and forming an annular shoulder next to said exterior face; a ring fitting against said shoulder and on said exterior face and extending more than half way up the latter and holding said sections together; a flat spring latch member having a yoke secured around a portion of the ring and provided at its mid part with a downwardly disposed spring latch provided with an inturned hook yieldably releasably engaged against the end face of the shell at the base; the ends of said yoke being provided with upwardly disposed portions extending upwardly and then turned downwardly and extending to the lower part of the latch to form spring like branchengaging clips; said spring latch having the multiple function of preventing the lowering of said shell relative to said ring and clips as a result of pull on the shell when the shell is hanging by the clip, thereby to prevent the release of the ring from said face and the separation of said sections.

8. In combination, a ring; a latch member secured to the ring and provided with a downwardly disposed spring latch provided with an inturned hook having its end substantially at right angles to the axis of the ring; said member being provided with an upwardly disposed portion extending upwardly and then downwardly to form a branch-engaging clip.

9. In combination, a shell having an upper lamp thimble-receiving socket; the lower portion of said shell having opposite side walls; conductor contacts having upper lamp thimble engaging contacts and lower flat portions engaged against the said walls respectively; a margin of each flat portion being provided with slits forming a tongue therebetween; conducting wires passing under said tongues and over said margins respectively; and pins passing through the lower part of the respective tongues into said walls and having the multiple function of tightening the edges of said slits against said conductors, securing said wires and tongues in place and assisting in positioning the contacts relative to the socket and thimble.

10. In combination, a shell having an upper portion forming a lamp thimble-receiving socket; the lower portion of said shell having a base forming a chamber having a lower opening, a closed bottom Wall and opposite side walls; conductor contacts having upper lamp thimble engaging contacts and downwardly extended fiat portions engaged against the said Walls respectively; the lower mid-margin of each fiat portion being provided with upwardly extended sharp-edged slits forming a downwardly pointing tongue therebetween; conducting wires passing through said lower opening, under said tongues and over said margins respectively; and pins passing through the lower part of the respective tongues into said walls and having the multiple function of tightening said sharp edges against said conductors, securing said wires and tongues in place and aiding in positioning the upper parts of said'contact in position relative to the socket and thimble.

11. In combination, a shell having an upper lamp-thimble-receiving socket; the lower portion of said, shell having a chamber having pposite side walls; conductor contacts respectively having downwardly extended portions engaged against the said side walls respectively; securing means for securing said extended portions in place; conducting wires secured to said portions respectively; the upper part of one conductor contact being provided with an outstanding contact tongue to engage the axial contact of the lamp; the other conductor contact being upwardly extended to the side of the socket and provided with current-conducting threads to engage the side of the lamp thimble; the upper part of the extended portion of said other conductor-contact being provided with a small opening; a dielectric pin mounted in the adjacent wall and passing through the opening and disposed under the contact tongue.

12. In combination, a shell having an upper cylindrical socket having lamp-thimble-receiving threads at one side; the lower portion of said shell having a chamber having opposite flat side walls; conductor contacts respectively having downwardly extended fiat portions engaged against the said side walls respectively; securing means for securing said flat portions in place; conducting wires secured to said portions respectively; the upper part of one conductor contact being provided with an outstanding contact tongue crossing the axis of the socket at the lower part thereof to engage the axial contact of the lamp; the other conductor contact being upwardly extended to the side of the socket and provided with conducting threads opposite to said first named threads, and cooperating therewith to engage the side of the lamp thimble; the upper part of the fiat portion of said other conductor-contactbeing provided with a small opening; a dielectric pin mounted in the adjacent 'wall and passing through the opening and disposed under the contact tongue, and adapted to resist depressing force on said tongue and upward lifting force on said conducting threads when the lamp is screwed tightly in place, thereby to cause said forces in part to neutralize each 7 other and'take strain from said securing means.

- '13. In combination, a pair of similar longitudinal shell half-sections having coacting faces meeting in an axial plane; the upper portion of said sections together forming a lamp-thimblereceiving socket; the lower portion of said sections forming a base and having recesses form ing a substantially rectangular chamber having a closed bottom wall and opposed side walls having rectangular faces parallel to said plane and limtied by chamber corners forming shoulders parallel to the shell axis; a pair of conductor-contacts having upper portions for engaging said thimble and lower fiat portions secured against faces and having parallel side edges engaging said shoulders, and a lower portion near said bottom wall, said shoulders and bottom wall serving to position the contacts relative to said socket; said sections being providedat said faces with a pair of coacting grooves forming an opening at the lower part of said chamber; conducting wires passing through said opening and secured to said contacts; means for securing said flat portions flat against said faces; and means for detachably securing said sections in assembled relation whereby said sections may be separated for securing said flat portions against said faces and shoulders.

' ELLIOTT I. CLEMENCE, 

